Looking at MacKenzie Blackwood’s numbers with Colorado Avalanche
Since coming over from San Jose, MacKenzie Blackwood has been lights out. He’s delivered everything the Avs hoped he would.
According to Statmuse, Blackwood has played in 19 games this season, starting 18. He’s registered a 12-5-2 mark with a 2.03 GAA and a .925 SV%. Plus, he’s notched two shutouts, those coming in his last two starts of the season.
Thus far, Blackwood hasn’t had a “bad” game. He gave up four goals in a 33-save performance against the New York Rangers last week. Then, Blackwood surrendered four goals against the New York Islanders in a loss
Still, none of those games were necessarily bad. But if any doubt began to creep in, Blackwood shut the door against the St. Louis Blues and the Philadelphia Flyers. While neither club is a serious playoff contender this season, the shutouts are no less impressive.
On the whole, MacKenzie Blackwood has delivered Vezina-caliber goaltending in his brief stint in Colorado. For comparison’s sake, the leading Vezina candidate this season, the Winnipeg Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck has a 16-2-2 mark with a 1.94 GAA and a .925 SV%.
While fantastic, those numbers aren’t much different from what Blackwood has produced during his tenure in Colorado. Now, does that mean that Blackwood will get Vezina consideration this season? If he runs out the season with these numbers, Blackwood might get serious consideration from voters.
It would be nice to see Blackwood get some Vezina votes this season, and he will, but the most important thing would be to see the Avalanche make a strong playoff run this season.
If that’s the case, Colorado Avalanche fans will take a Stanley Cup over the Vezina any day of the week.
Stats courtesy of Statmuse